Höegh Ro/Ro Saves Yachtsman in North Atlantic

On July 18, the Höegh-Wallem managed ro/ro Höegh Singapore successfully carried out a rescue operation in the mid-North Atlantic.

On July 17, the Singapore, a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) manned by Höegh Fleet Services in China, was on her way from Halifax, Canada to Antwerp, Belgium when the team onboard heard a distress call about a sailing boat in trouble. The call came in at 0830 UTC from the Joint Rescue Centre in Halifax. The Master, Captain Wang Shao Ping, immediately ordered for the vessel to change course to assist.

After a full day of searching the area, the sailing boat in distress was finally spotted. At 0100 UTC, the yachtsman (a Canadian citizen) was successfully rescued and brought onboard the Singapore. The sailing boat had experienced a catastrophic failure of the rig, rendering it unable to continue its voyage and reducing its seaworthiness – a situation made even more dangerous by rough sea conditions on scene.

Major Mark Norris, the Commanding Officer of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Halifax and a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, commended Captain Wang Shao Ping for his assistance. “I want to personally thank you for your quick and efficient response to our tasking. You were instrumental in saving the life of the sailor. You and your crew should be very proud of the service you provided,” Norris said.

After being brought safely onboard the Höegh Singapore, the Canadian citizen was transferred back to Halifax and has recovered well from his ordeal at sea.